Car-coupling.



PATENTED SEPT. 8. v1.903..

` 0. A5T0WBR.

GAR4 COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED JUL 10, 1903.

No MODEL.

wrrnsssis mwN-ron y, UNITED STATES atented September 8, 1903.

` PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTONA. TOWER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL MALLEABLE CASTINGS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GAR-COU PLI NG.

SPCFICATION teeming para ef Letters Patent No. 738,738, dated september e, 1903.

Application iiled July 10, I1903.

I To all whom 'it may concern:

` companying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which-e Figure l shows my `coupler in plan view. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line II II of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the stopper for the chain-hole, Fig. 4 is a vertical-section of the stopper.

The purpose of my invention is toprovide means for closing the hole in the head of an automatic coupler for the passage of the chain by which the locking or locking and opening device `is operated. The means heretofore suggested for this purpose, so far as I amV aware, have been unsatisfactory and objectionable. y

In the Vdrawings I show my invention ap- .plied to a' car-coupler for which Letters Patent No. 728,182 were granted to me` on the 12th day of May, 1903;` but it may be applied to couplings of other construction.

2 represents the coupler-head, 3 is the pivoted knuckle, and 4 is a locking-piece, which,

as described in my `said patent, mayserve also as an opening device for theknuckle.

'lhe lifting device 'shown in the drawing consists of a chain 5, the lower link 6 of which is connected with the lock 4, its upper end being connected with a lifting-crank. It passes through a hole 7 in the head of the coupler. For the purpose of closing this hole I employ a stopper, which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is

preferably made of two parts B and C,.di

. vided vertically and adapted to be fitted together around one of the links of the chain. One of the parts, C, has a projection D,Which extends through a hole E in the other part, B, and when the two `parts are assembled around u the chain-linkthe projection D is upset, so

as toconstitute a rivet by which the parts of the stopper are fixed together. The parts may be connected with a separate rivet passing through a hole in each part, and whenV a lifting link or rod is employed instead of a chain Serial No. 164,947. (No model.)

the stopper may be applied thereto or made integral therewith wit-h like elect, as when used on a chain. The stopper when fastened on the chain becomes a fixture thereon. It is so placed thereon that when the lock is in its lowernnostv position, locking the knuckle, the stopper lits within the hole 7 and closes it. It is then upheld by the link 6, which oc .cupies an upright posit-ion. The stopper is of little less diameter than the hole 7, so that when the lock is removed from the coupler for repair or for any other purpose the stopper need not be detached, but can be drawn down `with the chain through 'the hole 7. This is an important advantage, and in prior caps or stopping devices where it is not employed the stopper must be removed from the chain 4before the chain can be passed downwardly through the hole. When the stopper is in the hole, it effectually excludes dirt and snow from entering the coupler-head, and as -it is simple and easily applied it does not complicate the mechanism or otherwise cause any difficulty of operating or repairing the coupling.

Within the scope of my broader claims the parts may be modified in form and construction, since l. A stopper for couplers comprising in combination with a lifting device, a stoppingplug adapted to fit thereon within the usual hole in the coupler-head, but of less diameter than said hole; substantially as describedbination with a lifting device, a stoppingplug adapted to fit within the usual hole in the coupler-head, said stopper being made in parts fixed together upon the lifting device; substantially as described.

3. A stopper for couplers comprisingin combination with a lifting device, astoppingplug adapted to lit within the usual holein the coupler-head, said stopperv being made in parts fixed together upon the lifting device, one of said parts having a projection fitting in the other, and upset; substantially as described.

2. A stopper for couplers comprising in com- 4. A stopper for couplers comprising in combnation with a lifting; device, a stoppingbut of less diameter than said hole; substau plug adapted to t Within the usual holein tially as described. 1o the coupler-head,v but of less diameter than In testimony whereof have hereunto set said hole, and means for supporting the stopmy hand.

5 per in position in the hole; substantially as CLINTON A. TOWER.

described. Witnesses:

5. A stopping-plug for couplers adapted to HENRY F. POPE,

t within the usual hole in the coupler-head, HARRY E. ORB.l 

